A most interesting dock. It is the only dock we were at that is privately owned. It was opened in 2004 by a company formed by the local indigenous peoples of the Tlingit tribe. They know how to treat tourists and make money.
Just as we walked into the World Café for breakfast a whale breached right near the ship and then dove into the water. I had no chance to get my camera ready. But both Kathy and I saw it. Minutes later we were watching eagles.
Our highlight of the day, however, was going on an excursion to search for bears. This big guy was probably looking for fish. But I took plenty of pictures. He just wouldn’t turn and look at me.
When the bears first wake up from their long winter nap, they are very hungry. One of their favorite things to eat is the root of this flower. The flower is named the skunk cabbage. Don’t eat it!! But apparently the roots taste good. The berries and things weren’t really available yet. It was too early in spring. But these were everywhere.
This is a small tribe of people. They have decided that to avoid intermarriage they are all eagles or ravens. An eagle cannot marry an eagle. Only a raven. Likewise a raven can only marry an eagle. And if they have kids, they are whatever the father is. These totem poles are the eagle and then the raven. We bought a raven print because the sales lady told us the story and she is a raven. Very nice lady.
We actually went to one of their 3 restaurants and bought lunch. We shared these Alaskan King Crab legs. Yes, there were potatoes and corn and we ate them but the crab was the star.
Kathy dipped her fingers into the very cold water in the ocean. No thought of swimming.
Johnson's Travel 